-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-09-005793.txt : 20090303
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-09-005793.hdr.sgml : 20090303
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090303175523
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-09-005793
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090302
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090303
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090303

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PHILLIPS BAXTER F JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001220279

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07775
		FILM NUMBER:		09652992

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O MASSEY ENERGY CORP
		STREET 2:		10210 WINDBLUFF DR
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23233

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10210 WINDBLUFF DR
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23233

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MASSEY ENERGY CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000037748
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BITUMINOUS COAL & LIGNITE SURFACE MINING [1221]
		IRS NUMBER:				950740960
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4 NORTH 4TH STREET
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23219
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9493492000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4 NORTH 4TH STREET
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23219

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FLUOR CORP/DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FLUOR CORP LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710624
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-03-02</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000037748</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MASSEY ENERGY CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MEE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001220279</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PHILLIPS BAXTER F JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MASSEY ENERGY COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>4 NORTH 4TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RICHMOND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>23219</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-03-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>I</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14395.76</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.96</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17715.81</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401(k) Plan</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">As of March 3, 2009, the value of the units acquired and held directly by the reporting person under the Massey Coal Salary Deferral and Profit Sharing Plan, as amended and restated effective October 1, 2001 (the &quot;401(k) Plan&quot;), equated to 17,715.81 shares of Massey common stock plus a cash component of $7,352.06</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Richard R. Grinnan, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-03-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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